“Glucose was is inspired by reminiscing on my visits to Ibiza over the years. The pads that run throughout the track capture the warmness of the island and the bass counters the melody to keep the vibes going.“
Internationally, Preditah is renowned for his grime and garage-centric productions that have echoed throughout the respective scenes for the past decade or so. From consistently producing remix work for heavyweights such as Skepta, Disclosure and Chase & Status, to producing soundtracks for Solo45 and Wiley, the Birmingham-native has fast become one of the most recognised and respected producers to date, backed by an endless amount of success. A fine example would be his Top 10 UK Rap record “So High” featuring hotshots Mist and Fredo which highlighted Preidtah’s versatility and raw talent for creating high-quality beats. Although arguably his biggest success has been 2017’s song-of-the-year contender, “On My Mind”, a nu-UKG love letter featuring vocals from fellow superstar Jorja Smith, which since has amassed an astonishing number of views and streams across various platforms.
With an Atlantic Records deal under his belt and a catalogue of high-octane singles to show over the last few years, the UK producer has been gearing up towards his recent Glucose release. Making his debut on Palm Recs, Preidtah delivers a two track EP, the A-side “Glucose” released on July 9th whilst the flip will be dropped later this month on July 30th. Bringing together elements of UK garage vocal sampling with Balearic and old school house, the producer shows off his extensive musical prowess and showcases some of the most exciting peak-summer dancefloor fillers. We caught up with Preditah about life and his latest house-orientated release [listen and purchase the record here].
First of all, how are you? And what have you been getting up to recently?
I’m all good thanks! I’m just busy writing new records and making plans for the near future.
From a musical point of view, how have you found lockdown and in general what has kept you motivated?
Lockdown was weird at first. I’ve been traveling and touring for years so being stuck in the house was a shock to the system but it’s been a blessing in disguise. I’ve had loads of time to get my producer head on and work on new music and put a new focus on my music career.
Widely recognised for your grime and garage-centric works, we want to tap into that firstly and ask about your main influences growing up and how you transitioned into a music producer?
I grew up on Gospel music and bashment mainly, 90’s R&b and Garage came in a little later. I grew up playing the Bass guitar and doing gigs at the Birmingham Conservatoire. I eventually transitioned into play the Bass guitar at my Grandads Church in Birmingham in my teens. I then transitioned into a bedroom beat-maker and perfected my sound as time went on, I never had plans on being a music producer as a career. Things have just ended up being one naturally and I wouldn’t swap it for the world because it’s my passion.
We say music producer because we’ve read that you don’t want to be pigeonholed into one genre. How important is it for you to keep evolving and exploring new genres, as well as constantly widening your skill set?
I’ve always found it important not to be labelled because I’m a musician but also a music fan in general and I knew from young that my music tastes would change as I grow older.
You’ve mentioned in the past that your career properly took off in 2011 when JME started to vocalise your beats. Just how big of a moment was this for you and where would it rank in your music journey so far? Do you feel like you’re just getting started?
I was producing for years before that moment in my hometown with everyone that was doing their thing at the time. I made a name for myself in my city which was important so when JME discovered me it was the break that I needed but I was ready for it. I could win a Grammy in the future but nothing will compare to JME’s co-sign of my talent. Without that I don’t believe I would be here today so big up JME always.
Of course, another breakout moment that we must mention is your collab with Jorja Smith for “On My Mind” back in 2017. Did you expect it to take off the way it did and what’s it like working with singers instead of MC’s?
When we were writing that record we both new that people would love it. It was a real vibe but I don’t think either of us expected it to blow up the way it did. I prefer working with singers because there isn’t a limit to what you can create. Also, singers resonate with the rest of the world better whereas MC driven records sometimes have a limit to the UK.
Hailing from Birmingham, how has the city impacted your overall sound? We notice there is a lot of promising young talent breaking through in the Midlands right now, what’s good there and how much has the city evolved since you were younger?
Birmingham’s main influence was the sound of Bassline when I was growing up. The Bassline raves were great and people in Birmingham like partying so I aways tend to make records that resonate to the club scene because of that. That’t the main impact Birmingham has had on me.
Having released a plethora of acclaimed garage, grime and UK house tracks, you’ve now turned your attention to a brand new solo house-orientated Glucose EP, forthcoming on Palm Recs. Can you explain how this record first came about and why you decided to produce a 4/4 EP as your first material back after a couple of years?
Glucose is a house EP because after years of DJing in Ibiza I fell in love with the Tech house I was listening to and playing on the island. I’ve made tons of records during lockdown of that style and will continue to produce House music in the near future. Both records have a garage bounce because I simply can’t help it but the records both came naturally inspired by memories of partying and playing gigs in Ibiza.
In terms of production, how does producing house music differ from garage and grime material?
Like any genre, you have to firstly know and respect the history of the genre you’re producing and compliment the elements whilst also making it your own. I make Garage more than any other genre in my spare time so to approach making other genre’s I tend to spend time listening to the genre to get the vibes going and mentally prepare for it.
What was the creative and production process behind “Glucose”?
Glucose was is inspired by reminiscing on my visits to Ibiza over the years. The pads that run throughout the track capture the warmness of the island and the bass counters the melody to keep the vibes going.
The final track on the record is a remix by D Double E, how did this collaboration come about and why do you think it works so well?
The guys over at Palm suggested him and I was up for it as I’ve always been cool with him. After the record was finished we spoke on the phone and laughed at the fact it’s taken us all these years to get a record done but I love collaborating with people I’m a fan of or actually cool with in real life rather than chasing the hottest name at the time.
If you had to pick one, which track / version is your favourite from Glucose?
“Glucose” is definitely my favourite record on the EP.
Is your new EP a sign of more to come from Preditah in terms of house music? And where do you see yourself heading in the next couple of years in terms of production?
Glucose is the first of many many more House records. I’m heading to produce my first album so I’m just focused on getting records ready with artists in the UK and artists from around the globe.
With everything opening up again, what do you have planned, and will we be seeing you drop these tracks in Ibiza?
I don’t really have any plans I can announce just yet but just expect more Preditah records on the radio and in clubs worldwide!
If you had to save one record from your collection, which would it be?
I actually don’t know, that’s a tricky question, ha. I’ll have to get back to you on that one
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